Biology Faculty

Professor Jack R. Holt received his Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma. His courses include systematic biology, aquatic ecology and phycology. His research interests include the ecology and biology of freshwater algae.

Professor Margaret T. Peeler is the Charles B. Degenstein Professor of Biology. She earned her Ph.D. from Duke University, and her areas of teaching include introductory biology, developmental biology and cell biology. She is currently researching the role of cell interactions in gene expression and cell fate in sea urchin embryonic development.

Professor Matthew H. Persons earned his Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati. He teaches animal behavior, comparative vertebrate anatomy, and invertebrate zoology. A behavioral ecologist, his research interests include chemically mediated predator-prey interactions in spiders and insects and the evolution of animal signals.

Professor David S. Richard holds a Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh. A zoologist with research interests in reproductive insect endocrinology, he teaches introductory biology, animal physiology, and cell biology and directs the Cross-Cultural Focus Australia program.

Professor Tammy C. Tobin received her Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. Her areas of teaching include genetics, immunology and microbiology. Her research involves the Centralia, Pa., mine fire's effects upon the environment and how soil bacteria are adapting to those changes.

Associate Professor Carlos A. Iudica holds a Ph.D. from the University of Florida Gainesville. He teaches ecology, evolution and introductory biology and conducts research in the area of vertebrate animal ecology.

Associate Professor Alissa A. Packer holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University. Her areas of teaching include plant ecology, plant physiology and introductory biology. Her research interests include the interaction between temperate tree species and their soil pathogens.

Associate Professor Thomas C. Peeler, department head, received his Ph.D. from Duke University. His areas of teaching include genetics, molecular biology and histology. His current research focuses on molecular mechanisms of Schwann cell interaction.

Associate Professor Jan Reichard-Brown holds a Ph.D. in developmental biology from the University of Cincinnati. Her areas of teaching include human physiology, human anatomy, and human health and disease. She is the director of the health care studies program.

Assistant Professor Erin Keen-Rhinehart received her Ph.D. from the University of Florida Gainesville. Her areas of teaching include neurobiology, behavioral endocrinology and introductory biology. Her current research focuses on the long-term behavioral and neuroendocrine consequences for offspring born with low birth weight.